Farrell still digesting Lions achievement

British and Irish Lions playmaker Owen Farrell says only hindsight will help him realise the magnitude of the side’s achievements on Kiwi soil, having secured a tied Test series with the All Blacks on Saturday.

Lining up at second-five, Farrell slotted four of his side’s five penalty goals in a 15-15 third-Test draw, including a 78th-minute effort to level the scores.

The 25-year-old Saracens star, who has scored 31 Test points on Kiwi soil and combined well with first-five Johnny Sexton, admitted the Eden Park result left him feeling a little “weird” inside, with no genuine series winner.

He was unsure if a drawn series against New Zealand eclipsed a winning series against Australia in 2013, in which he played one Test.

“We’ve been put together not so long ago, come out here, and it just shows the quality of player that’s picked in this team,” Farrell told reporters.

“To have that little prep time together and be able to not just compete but properly be up there, and feel like you could’ve done better.

“It was another proper tough Test match and it’s been a brilliant series.”

With the Lions now done and dusted, Farrell will now head off on a northern off-season before returning for Saracens duty in September.

Having faced down the might of the All Blacks, he said he couldn’t wait for another crack at them with England, almost certainly in late 2018.

“You learn playing against them, playing in any big game like this, especially a Test series,” Farrell said.

“Everybody wants a go at the team at the top.

“I don’t think anybody’s untouchable (and) I’m sure they’d say that as well.”

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